About a month ago there were reports that Brentwood, Tenn. junior offensive lineman Lucas Patrick had committed to the Blue Devils. Those rumors turned out to be inaccurate, but not totally unfounded. Now Patrick has made it final.

The 6-foot-3, 280-pound offensive lineman was visited by a member of the Duke coaching staff on Friday and he decided it was time to make his commitment official.

"I knew they were coming down and I was ready to make it official," Patrick told Devils Illustrated on Saturday morning.

Patrick had received offers from Arkansas, Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky, and most recently Memphis, prior to committing to Duke.

He had started to hear quite a bit from Virginia, but he has already notified the Cavaliers' coaching staff that he is solid to Duke and he expects them to turn their attention elsewhere.

"I really like the program and everything," Patrick said. "But what really impressed me was how the coaching staff is committed to the team they have. They really want to go out and win. They're not just about getting you to come to Duke for academics. They want you to do that, but they want to go out and be a championship team."

Patrick's only trip to Duke came a few weeks ago. He was in Durham for about three days and had a chance to take in the school's spring game.

The talented junior said he was recruited primarily by Bo Hardegree and offensive line coach Matt Luke.

Patrick is the eighth commitment for the Blue Devils in the Class of 2011. He is the first offensive lineman to pledge to Duke.